Automated dog kennel

ABSTRACT

An automated dog kennel utilizes a rotatable belt for the floor of an enclosed structure. The belt is movable to exercise the animal and also to carry waste material into a drain beneath the belt. A plurality of nozzles coupled with a water source are positioned at the forward end of the belt as the latter rotates in one direction toward this end. The nozzles are placed to spray water in the direction of an animal on the belt to discourage the animal from approaching the end and thus prevent the animal from getting a leg caught between the moving belt and supporting framework. These nozzles may also serve to pre-soak the belt to facilitate removal of waste material. A second set of nozzles is positioned adjacent the belt to spray the belt with additional cleaning liquid subsequent to the spray of the first set of nozzles as the belt rotates. An enclosed housing for protecting the animal from the elements is disposed adjacent the belt and in communication with the enclosed structure. The housing includes a bottom, sidewalls, and a movable roof which is positioned at a height sufficient to accommodate the animal beneath it when the animal is in a lying position while preventing the animal from assuming a standing position. This forces the animal to leave the housing and stand on the rotatable belt for defecation or urination.

States Patent ilnite 1191 Marnett Feb. 12, 1974 i 1 AUTOMATED DOG KENNELto exercise the animal and also to carry waste material [76] inventor:Paul Mame, 457 N 17th St into a drain beneath the belt. A plurality ofnozzles Kansas City M 0 64108 coupled with a water source are pos1t1oned at the forward end of the belt as the latter rotates in one direc-Filedi 1972 tion toward this end. The nozzles are placed to spray waterin the direction of an animal on the belt to dis- [211 Appl' 309,230courage the animal from approaching the end and thus prevent the animalfrom getting a leg caught be- [52] US. Cl. 119/19 tween the moving beltand supporting framework. [5 Aolk 01/00 These nozzles may also serve topre-soak the belt to Field Of Search 28 facilitate removal of.wastematerial. A second set of nozzles is positioned adjacent the belt tospray the belt [56] References Cited with additional cleaning liquidsubsequent to the spray UNITED STATES PATENTS of the first set ofnozzles as the belt rotates. An en- 3,71s,120 2/1973 Schwarz et al119/16 Closed housing for Pmtecting the animal from the 2,969,768 1/1961Gram n H 1 19/29 ments is disposed adjacent the belt and in communica-3,119,374 1/1964 Ladner 1 19/29 tion with the enclosed structure. Thehousing includes 3,274,973 9/1966 Woods et a1 1 19/28 X a bottom,sidewalls, and a movable roof which is posi- Primary Examiner-Hugh R.Chamblee Attorney, Agent, or FirmLowe, Kokjer, Kircher, Wharton & Bowman[57] ABSTRACT An automated dog kennel utilizes a rotatable belt for thefloor of an enclosed structure. The belt is movable tioned at a heightsufficient to accommodate the animal beneath it when the animal is in alying position while preventing the animal from assuming a standingposition. This forces the animal to leave the housing and stand on therotatable belt for defecation or urination.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures AUTOMATED DOG KENNEL This invention relatesto the housing and care of animals, and more particularly, to anenclosure for keeping an animal in confinement which automaticallyexercises the animal and also provides for automatic cleaning of theenclosure.

It has become very expensive to keep a large number of dogs in acommercial kennel or even a municipal dog pound. It has always been aproblemwhen confining a dog for a long period of time to periodicallyprovide the dog with needed exercise. A small run is frequently providedadjacent a dog house, but it offers only limited maneuverability andexercise. In municipal dog pounds where space is at a very high premium,even this limited amount of space for exercising is frequently absent.

Another one of the substantial problems of confining a dog is the needto periodically clean waste material from the area of confinement. Thisis an unpleasant job which has heretofore required manual labor and isresponsible for a substantial percentage of the total cost of keepingthe animal.

While there have been other attempts to provide dog kennels with movingfloors for the purpose of exercising thedog and also removing wastematerials, these have been largely unsatisfactory. It has been foundthat animals object to living in such quarters where there is no way forthem to escape from the movable floor. In some cases this has resultedin there being provided a secondary dog house adjacent the movable floorwhere the dog may periodically go for sleeping. The fact that some ofthe dogs living area is removed from the movable floor requires somemanual cleaning, however, thus largely defeating the advantages of themovable floor.

Still another problem with kennels having movable floors constructedaccording to prior teachings has been the danger of an animals legslipping into the area between the leading edge of the movable floor andthe supporting structure. Because of this danger, close supervisionrequiring manual labor, has been required when the floor is in motion orvarious protective guards have been provided which interfere withmovement of waste material from the floor.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide anenclosure for keeping an animal which includes a movable floor forexercising the animal and automatically removing waste from the area andalso has a safety nozzle for spraying a liquid onto the animal from theend of the floor, thereby conditioning the animal to stay away from theend and assuring that the animal will not get a leg caught in the movingfloor. This conditioning is a result of both the sound of the wateragainst a moving belt and actual contact between the dog and the water.

It is another objective of this invention to provide an enclosure forkeeping an animal which automatically exercises the animal and removeswaste material from the enclosure wherein a number of such enclosuresmay be disposed in side-by-side relationship and placed in communicationwith a common drain.

An important aim of this invention is to provide an enclosure for ananimal as described in the object second above wherein the safety nozzleis also disposed to pre-soak the moving floor to facilitate in theremoval of waste material therefrom, and a second nozzle is disposed tospray a cleaning liquid onto the floor subsequent to the spray of thefirst nozzle to complete cleaning of the floor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure forkeeping an animal which automatically exercises the animal and removeswaste material and includes a stationary housing to protect the animalfrom the elements and offer an area for respite from the movable floorwherein the housing includes a roof positioned to accommodate the animaltherebeneath in a lying position, while prohibiting the animal fromstanding to thereby force the animal onto the movable floor fordefecation or urination.

As a corollary to the above object, an aim of the invention is toprovide a housing as described wherein the roof is movable to differentheights thereby accommodating animals of different sizes.

Other objects of the invention will be made clear or become apparentfrom the following description and claims when read in light of theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of dog kennels constructedaccording to the present invention and disposed in side-by-siderelationship in parallel rows on either side of a common, centralenclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the kennel enclosuresillustrating the enclosed run area which is open to the atmosphere andthe enclosed housing which protects an animal from the elements;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the enclosure shown inFIG. 2 with portions being presented in cross section to illustratedetails of the component parts;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the forward driveroller for the movable belt floor;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the movable roof support;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the safetynozzle;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative form of the inventionillustrating a number of enclosures placed in side-by-side relationshipin a common building;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the unitscomprising the alternative form of the invention with portions brokenaway to show details of construction; and

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of four of the units of FIG. 8 placedin side-by-side relationship for communication with a common drain.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, the novel enclosure for keeping ananimal such as a dog is designated generally by the numeral 10.Enclosure 10 comprises a structure 12 of a generally inverted Vconfiguration which presents a run area, open to the atmosphere, and ahousing 14 for protecting a dog from the elements. Structure 12comprises a base frame 16 disposed on top of a slanted floor 18 whichcommunicates at the point of lowest elevation with a drain 20. First andsecond rollers 22 and 24 are disposed at opposite ends of frame 16 forthe purpose of mounting a movable belt 26. Belt 26 has a first stretch28 which is substantially co-extensive in both length and width withstructure 12 to present a floor for the latter. A second stretch 30 ofthe belt 26 is disposed in spaced, parallel relationship to firststretch 28 and carries waste material toward drain 20. Belt 26 isrotated by a prime mover such as an electric motor 32 that rotates theforward roller 22.

The belt 26 is normally rotated in a counterclockwise direction whenviewing FIG. 3 toward the forward end of the belt as it rotates in thisdirection. Positioned immediately above belt 26 at the forward end is aheader line 34 (FIG. 6) mounting a plurality of nozzles 36 transverselyacross the width of the belt. Line 34 is adapted to be coupled with aliquid cleaning agent such as water and is carefully positioned to spraysome of the liquid onto upper stretch 28 while some of the liquid isdirected downwardly onto the bight of belt 26 which joins the upperstretch with lower stretch 30. An additional header line 38 mounts aplurality of nozzles 40 positioned adjacent the forward end 30 of thebelt with the nozzles directed to spray a second liquid cleaning agentonto the belt. A shield 41 also extends traversely across the width ofbelt 26 to confine the liquid spray to the area of the belt. Water issupplied to line 38 through a delivery conduit 43 and a similar conduit(not shown) supplies line 34. Conduit 43 has a pressure regulator 45 anda time controlled valve indicated generally by the numeral 47.

Extending upwardly from frame 16 are two converging mesh sidewalls 42which cooperate with end walls 44 and 46 to define the enclosed run areafor confining a dog. Walls 4246 are constructed from heavy wire or thelike to provide for free movement of air through the area. A door 49 inend wall 44 provides access to the interior of structure 12.

A forwardly extending section 48 of frame 16 presents a base for housing14. Housing 14 comprises spaced-apart, solid end walls 50, a rear wall52 having a hinged door 53 and a forward wall 54 having a door openingtherein. The opening of wall 54 communicates with a similar opening inthe wall 46 of structure 12. A first generally planar roofcomponent 56is disposed on top of walls 50-54 in rigid relationship with the latterfor structural purposes. A second false" roof component 58 is disposedbetween the sidewalls of housing 14 immediately beneath component 56.The second roof component 58 is movable into various horizontalpositions as indicated in FIG. 3 by virtue of wing nut fasteningassemblies 60 and slots 62 in end walls 50. A rigid bottom 64 forhousing 14 is disposed with its leading edge extending over the upperstretch 28 of belt 26. Bottom 64 is rigid with sidewalls 50-54. A feedcontainer 66 is secured to wall 52 of housing 14 as is a water container68. A box frame 70 immediately beneath and to thefront of bottom 64encloses the aforedescribed time control valve and timing mechanisms. Itis to be noted that bottom 64 overlies enough of belt 26 to shield theend of the belt and reduce the chance of a dog getting a leg caught inthe rotating belt. To this end, wall 54 extends down over the edge ofbottom 64 to present a protective guard lip 69.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, enclosure may be conveniently disposed inside-by-side relationship with a plurality of identical enclosures oneither side of a building 72 defining a central passageway between thetwo rows of enclosures. Each housing 14 is placed within the confines ofbuilding 72 to facilitate heating of the housings when necessitated byweather conditions.

Roof component 58 is positioned to accommodate the dog therebeneath whenit is in a lying position, while not permitting the dog to stand up.This forces the dog to enter structure 12 and stand on belt 26 whendefecating or urinating. Motor 32 is periodically activated to rotatethe belt and cause waste material to move from upper stretch 28 aroundto drain 20. Whenever the belt is rotating a liquid cleaning agent willbe emitted through nozzles 36 and 40 to clean the belt. As previouslymentioned, it is important to position nozzles 36 so that a portion ofthe liquid spray will be directed toward an animal standing on upperstretch 28. The line of impingement of the liquid onto belt 26 andupwardly in the direction ofa standing dog is indicated in FIG. 6. Thiswill keep the animal from moving to the forward end of the belt where itcould possibly get a leg caught between lip 69 and belt 26. Header line34 may be connected with a source of detergent or soap in addition towater, to pre-soak the belt and commence removal of any dirt which hasbecome hardened on the belt. As the upper stretch 28 continues to rotatearound rollers 22 and 24, it will move into the position of lowerstretch 30 where nozzles 40 will continue to spray the belt and removedirt along with the cleaning detergent. It may also be desirable toincorporate a disinfectant into the stream of liquid passing throughheader line 38. Rotation of belt 26 is also utilized to periodicallyexercise the dog. To this end, it may be desirable to incorporate a highfrequency sound source in housing 14 to induce an animal to leave thehousing when desired. A sound source above normal audible humanfrequencies but within the range of a dog will normally be uncomfortableto the dog and induce it to leave the hous- Manifestly, enclosure 10incorporates the advantages of a kennel run which is open to theatmosphere while still providing a protected area where the animal cango to be out of the elements. Because of the presence of housing 14where a dog knows that it may escape moving belt 26, it is found thatthe psychological impact on the dog from being subjected to the movingbelt is minimized.

An alternative form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 68 anddesignated generally .by the numeral 110. A plurality of enclosures aredisposed in sideby-side relationship within a large building 172 such asmight be found at a municipal dog pound. Each unit 110 comprises a baseframe 116 disposed upon legs 72. End walls 144 together with side walls142 and roof 74 present an enclosed kennel run area which is dividedinto two identical sections by a vertical partition 76. First and secondrotatable belts 26 present the floors for each of the sections. Eachgroup of four floor belts 26 is driven by a common shaft 78 passingthrough each of the rollers and in turn rotated by a motor 32. Agenerally inclined floor section 118 spans the length and width of eachgroup of floor enclosures 110 to communicate eight kennel sectionspresented by four units 110 with a common drain 120.

Thus, while the unit 110 does not include housing 14 described above, itoperates in a similar manner to exercise a dog and clean belt 26. Afirst set of nozzles 36 positioned at the forward end of each belt,asthe latter rotates, is positioned behind a shield 77 to spray acertain amount of water onto the upper stretch of the belt where ananimal is standing. This assures that the animal will not catch a legunder the protective shield during rotation of the belt. A centrallydisposed second header line 138 has a plurality of nozzles 140 tocomplete washing of belt 26 and direct waste material into drain 120.

The enclosure 1 will normally be used where space is at a premiumbecause of the large number of animals being housed, and the animal willnormally not be confined except for a relatively short period of time.While the invention has been disclosed with reference to bothembodiments being placed in side-by-side relationship with a number ofunits of similar construction, it is to be emphasized that in manyinstances a single unit will be employed. For example, a home owner orhunter will find the invention very practical for keeping individualdogs.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An enclosure for keeping an animal comprising: structure defining anenclosed exercise and waste discharge area for confining the animal;

a rotatable belt disposed within said area and having a first stretchpresenting a floor for said structure and a second stretch disposed inparallel spaced relationship to the first stretch;

means for rotating said belt;

a safety nozzle disposed at the forward end of the belt as the latterrotates in one direction toward said end,

said nozzle adapted to be coupled with a source of water and positionedto spray water in the direction of an animal on the first stretchwhereby when the belt is rotated the animal is discouraged fromapproaching said one end; and

a housing adjacent to and communicating with said structure, saidhousing providing protection for the animal from the elements,

said housing including a movable roof adapted to be located at a heightsufficient to accommodate the animal thereunder in a lying positionwhile preventing the animal from assuming a standing position;

whereby the animal must move from within said housing to said structurein order to assume a standing position and discharge waste material.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein is provided a cleaning nozzledisposed to spray a liquid cleaning agent onto the belt subsequent tothe spray of said safety nozzle as the belt rotates in said onedirection whereby to remove waste material from the belt.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said safety nozzle is positioned tospray said belt to pre-soak said waste material and thereby facilitateremoval of the latter by said cleaning nozzle.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said safety nozzle and saidcleaning nozzle each comprises a heading line extending transversely ofthe belt substantially across the width thereof with a plurality ofopenings in said line spaced along the length thereof.

5. The invention of claim 2, wherein is included a floor disposedbeneath said belt and slanted in at least one direction; and a drain inthe floor at the points of lowest elevation to remove said wastematerial.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein a plurality of enclosures aredisposed in side-by-side relationship, said floor extending beneath thebelts of each of said enclo-

1. An enclosure for keeping an animal comprising: structure defining anenclosed exercise and waste discharge area for confining the animal; arotatable belt disposed within said area and having a first stretchpresenting a floor for said structure and a second stretch disposed inparallel spaced relationship to the first stretch; means for rotatingsaid belt; a safety nozzle disposed at the forward end of the belt asthe latter rotates in one direction toward said end, said nozzle adaptedto be coupled with a source of water and positioned to spray water inthe direction of an animal on the first stretch whereby when the belt isrotated the animal is discouraged from approaching said one end; and ahousing adjacent to and communicating with said structure, said housingproviding protection for the animal from the elements, said housingincluding a movable roof adapted to be located at a height sufficient toaccommodate the animal thereunder in a lying position while preventingthe animal from assuming a standing position; whereby the animal mustmove from within said housing to said structure in order to assume astanding position and discharge waste material.
 2. The invention ofclaim 1, wherein is provided a cleaning nozzle disposed to spray aliquid cleaning agent onto the belt subsequent to the spray of saidsafety nozzle as the belt rotates in said one direction whereby toremove waste material from the belt.
 3. The invention of claim 2,wherein said safety nozzle is positioned to spray said belt to pre-soaksaid waste material and thereby facilitate removal of the latter by saidcleaning nozzle.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said safety nozzleand said cleaning nozzle each comprises a heading line extendingtransversely of the belt substantially across the width thereof with aplurality of openings in said line spaced along the length thereof. 5.The invention of claim 2, wherein is included a floor disposed beneathsaid belt and slanted in at least one direction; and a drain in thefloor at the points of lowest elevation to remove said waste material.6. The invention of claim 5, wherein a plurality of enclosures aredisposed in side-by-side relationship, said floor extending beneath thebelts of each of said enclosures.